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Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)

 Person

Staff Only

Dates

  • Existence: 1875 - 1940

Biography

Donald Francis Tovey was born at Eton on 17 July 1875. His father was an Assistant Master at Eton College. He was educated privately by the music and general teacher Miss Sophie Weisse (1851-1945) and later on studied under Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924) and Sir C. H. Parry (1848-1918). Tovey then won a music scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a BA, Classical honours, in 1898. As a pianist, a series of chamber music concerts followed in London, Berlin and Vienna where he played with Halle, Joachim, Hausmann, Casals, and other artists. He also composed. In 1914 he was appointed to the Reid Chair of Music at Edinburgh University in succession to Professor Niecks (1845-1924). As Professor he broadened the music curriculum by instituting classes in musical interpretation, orchestration, history and analysis, thorough-bass, score reading, and advanced counter-point and composition. Tovey also established and conducted the Reid Orchestra and organised an annual series of concerts. His musical compositions were in many forms including chamber music, symphony, grand opera and concerto, and probably the most famous was his opera The bride of Dionysus produced in Edinburgh in 1929. His literary publications include the six volumes of Essays in musical analysis (1935-1939), and A musician talks (1941). Tovey was knighted in 1935. Sir Donald Francis Tovey died on 10 July 1940.

Found in 2127 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 02 July 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2594
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 July 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Concerning Tovey's illness and his treatment and care and Miss. Weisse's feelings. Holograph signed.

Dates: 02 July 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 08 July 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2596
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 July 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Details of Miss. Weisse's journey to Bad Nauheim and enclosing a letter from Tovey's doctor. Holograph signed.

Dates: 08 July 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 01 October 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2597
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 October 1935, London, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Miss. Weisses brother is dying and asking for news of Tovey's whereabouts. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 October 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 02 January 1936

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2599
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 January 1936, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Tovey's treatment and convalescence at Bath, suggesting that Tovey should smoke so he can have social interaction with other men. Holograph signed.

Dates: 02 January 1936
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 14 September 1936

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2600
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 September 1936, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Expressing the feeling that Tovey is a character in a Greek tragedy, requesting a subscription seat to The Reid concerts. Holograph signed.

Dates: 14 September 1936
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 17 October 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2603
Scope and Contents

Letter, 17 October 1937, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Requesting that Grierson place a garland of flowers and ribbons in Eton blue on Tovey's desk in the Music Classroom. Holograph signed.

Dates: 17 October 1937
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 19 January 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2606
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 January 1939, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Planning to turn away a singer, so Miss. Weisse can spend an hour alone with Tovey, a discussion of the Schumann concerto affair. Holograph signed.

Dates: 19 January 1939
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 18 March 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2609
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 March 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's musicianship, and expressing Weisses admiration and affection for Grierson. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 March 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 18 October 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2610
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 October 1938, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Weisse's state of health, description of a lecture given by Tovey, news of Weisses travels in Germany. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 October 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 01 December 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2611
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 December 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Arranging to meet, discussion of Tovey's heart condition. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 December 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence